Dixie Carter Announces TNA Hall-of-Fame; Sting Will Be First Inductee

[It's Damn Real!]

http://www.impactwrestling.com/news...ame-First-Inductee-Announced-At-Slammiversary

This is TNA’s chance to recognize the great contributions of the people who gave so much to make this 10-year anniversary possible.

“This 10 year milestone is an incredible achievement for TNA,” stated TNA President Dixie Carter. “In honor of that, we felt it was time to begin recognizing the contributions of those who have made the greatest impact on our success."

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During IMPACT's live episode tonight, just prior to the introduction of Brooke Hogan, Dixie Carter announced that at the upcoming Slammiversary Pay-Per-View, the first ever inductee will be announced for the TNA Hall-of-Fame!

I've maintained for a few years now through all the threads asking about whether TNA deserves one that I still feel the company is too young to have one, but ten years is no joke, and while I still feel it's a little early for one, there are a NUMBER of incredibly deserving candidates who you could choose from here including Raven, Jeff Jarrett, Jerry Lynn, Mike Tenay and more.

So what do we think here? Thoughts on the idea of a TNA Hall-of-Fame? Thoughts on who the first inductee could/should be?

Update 6/10/12:

As we bore witness at Slammiversary, "The Icon" Sting will be the first ever inductee into TNA's Hall of Fame!

 

[itssoeasy123]

Wait, so a ten year old company is going to have a Hall of Fame, really? Who do they have in the company is even close to Hall of Fame worthy? Every person I can even remotely think of that could go in the TNA Hall of Fame was built and established by the WWE or another company.

It's going to be really funny to see this "Hall of Fame" be consisted of former WWE talent. Hell, who's the first inductee going to be, Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett, Sting or Raven?

 

[SacredMesa]

Should be--AJ Styles, the guy carried the company in it's infancy and continues to be a main stay in it while giving everything he has every night no matter how silly or stupid the storyline he has been in has been. When people think TNA or IW they think AJ Styles.


Will be--Sting. I can't help but feel this is TNAs means of nodding their hat to Sting, and while the definatlly deserves and is Hall of Fame material, I still personally believe AJ deservers it so much more.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Wait, so a ten year old company is going to have a Hall of Fame, really? Who do they have in the company is even close to Hall of Fame worthy? Every person I can even remotely think of that could go in the TNA Hall of Fame was built and established by the WWE or another company.

It's going to be really funny to see this "Hall of Fame" be consisted of former WWE talent. Hell, who's the first inductee going to be, Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett, Sting or Raven?

Well then, I guess we better get that memo over to WWE so they can revoke every HOF membership of a guy who got his start in WCW, AWA, NWA or anywhere other than WWE. Or worse yet — anyone who's spent any significant amount of time not in the WWE, yeah?

What you are quite obviously not grasping here is that this has nothing to do with this "homegrown" bullshit you're regurgitating, rather it's a celebration of the accolades of performers who spent a significant amount of time with TNA. Performers who deserve the praise. Performers who deserve the nod.

If Jeff Jarrett, the fuckin' founder of the company, isn't worth a HOF nomination in TNA because you think he's a "WWE guy", then I strongly suggest WWE revoke Ric Flair's WWE HOF induction on the grounds he was with WCW for 24 years, eh?

 

[LegendKiller716]

I think TNA is too young for a Hall of Fame. The only way I see it working is if they only announce one member per year for a while. For me there are only a handful of guys deserving of the honor. If they allow current stars to be inducted, AJ Styles is the guy hands down. He's been the face of TNA from day one. He is extremely loyal and extremely reliable. Not to mention if would play right into his current story line.

If we're going non-active wrestlers (how it should be) it has to be Jeff Jarrett. He's the founder for fuck's sake. There is always the possibility of him making a return, but even if he does, I don't see it being long term.

Honorable Mentions: Kurt Angle, Sting, Jerry Lynn.

 

[wrestlemaniac]

if it were up to me...I'd put jerry lynn in the 1st class since he competed in the very 1st tna match. Yes I know that aj and lowki were also there but imo they should probably be a bit older or retired before they are inducted...jerry lynn just so happens to be both.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I think TNA is too young for a Hall of Fame. The only way I see it working is if they only announce one member per year for a while. For me there are only a handful of guys deserving of the honor. If they allow current stars to be inducted, AJ Styles is the guy hands down. He's been the face of TNA from day one. He is extremely loyal and extremely reliable. Not to mention if would play right into his current story line.

If we're going non-active wrestlers (how it should be) it has to be Jeff Jarrett. He's the founder for fuck's sake. There is always the possibility of him making a return, but even if he does, I don't see it being long term.

Honorable Mentions: Kurt Angle, Sting, Jerry Lynn.

I actually think that's likely to be the case for a long while, because like you, I actually think it's too soon for one as well, but seeing as there's nothing we can do to change it's existence, the key here will be in limiting the number of inductees per year to make the induction that much more special. If they start doing "classes" the way the WWE does, this'll go to hell in a handbasket faster than you can say "wow".

 

[Cena's #1 In My Heart]

I like it. Just adds more intrigue to the world of professional wrestling.

Hopefully TNA starts off on a good path with theirs and remains on that path. So we don't see inductees like Koko B. Ware.

I'd hope that the person they induct be retired. I don't want to see Angle and Sting in the Hall of Fame quite yet, even though they are both more than deserving.

But yeah, I'd say Jeff Jarrett would be in it. The likes of Raven and Jerry Lynn should be in it.

 

[Agent_of_Anarchy]

Definately a great idea for TNA. They shouldn't do a full class of inductees though, it should be one per year. Lynn would be a great a very deserving first inductee. He was a huge influence in the early years and was very instumental in the forming of the X division. Do a nice video package for him, have RVD give an induction speech and realease a best of Jerry Lynn DVD.

Next year maybe Raven or Sting? There is actually a lot of guys who have significantly helped TNA, espically in the early years, and it would be great to see them acknowledged.

 

[Lowdown]

I'm with the masses on this in saying its too early for TNA to have a HOF. But since this is something they're going forward with, I imagine the first one in would be Sting. I've read quite a bit about Raven and Jerry Lynn so far, but I haven't seen a lot of their work in TNA. Maybe Mick Foley. I'm not sure about Ric Flair given his tenure with the company, but its possible. Crazy as it sounds, I'd probably throw in Homicide.

 

[Rampage Bentley]

Well then, I guess we better get that memo over to WWE so they can revoke every HOF membership of a guy who got his start in WCW, AWA, NWA or anywhere other than WWE. Or worse yet — anyone who's spent any significant amount of time not in the WWE, yeah?

What you are quite obviously not grasping here is that this has nothing to do with this "homegrown" bullshit you're regurgitating, rather it's a celebration of the accolades of performers who spent a significant amount of time with TNA. Performers who deserve the praise. Performers who deserve the nod.

If Jeff Jarrett, the fuckin' founder of the company, isn't worth a HOF nomination in TNA because you think he's a "WWE guy", then I strongly suggest WWE revoke Ric Flair's WWE HOF induction on the grounds he was with WCW for 24 years, eh?

To be fair, WWE does own AWA and WCW. So while some guys (like Ric Flair) didn't spend the majority of their career in WWE, they did spend it in companies that fly under The WWE Banner.

I do agree with you on Jeff Jarrett (and probably others) that he would most certainly belong in a TNA HoF, but as you said earlier it's too early for them. I see no reason why they shouldn't have one, I just think they should wait until their first crop of real main eventers (I will not acknowledge R-Truth or Ken Shamrock as being in the first batch) have retired.

 

[Spuddogg]

Im not a huge fan of TNA! but AJ Styles hands down, he has been there since the word go, carried TNA for a long time!!! he deserves it!

 

[It's Damn Real!]

To be fair, WWE does own AWA and WCW. So while some guys (like Ric Flair) didn't spend the majority of their career in WWE, they did spend it in companies that fly under The WWE Banner.

I do agree with you on Jeff Jarrett (and probably others) that he would most certainly belong in a TNA HoF, but as you said earlier it's too early for them. I see no reason why they shouldn't have one, I just think they should wait until their first crop of real main eventers (I will not acknowledge R-Truth or Ken Shamrock as being in the first batch) have retired.

So? They own them because they fuckin' bought them out. That all of a sudden negates the fact that HUNDREDS of performers cut their teeth in both companies (and others) LONG before WWE ever signed the purchase agreement for them? I think not.

Fact is, though, it's coming, so there's no point in debating whether or not they should have one or not. They will, regardless of our opinions on the matter.

 

[Skairipa Matrix]

i see jeff jarrett being the one going in he is the founder of tna after all whos more worthy of it then him? this could also be the time they bring jeff jarrett back to tv give him something new to brag about being a hall of famer if its not jarrett i see it being either mike tenay,raven or maybe jim cornette he was in tna for many years. and while it may be coming too soon for a hall of fame i honestly dont see anything wrong with it.

 

[My Couch Pulls Out But I Don't]

I'm not really against them having a Hall Of Fame of their own.

What I would have a problem with is if Sting, Kurt Angle, or even AJ Styles were one of the first men inducted. They are all deserving, but let's keep the inductions for those who have retired.

 

[JJYanks121]

I think much of this depends on how they handle it. If the first inductee is Jeff Jarrett, then it might be ok. He started the company and likely should be the first inductee. The best idea if not Jarrett is to get someone who was important in the early days as that could mean something to to the TNA audience who might tune in to see a person they haven't seen in a while honored.

The person this should NOT be is Sting. The guy is competing for the title at the PPV (not the topic at hand as to whether that's a good idea) and I'm never a fan of putting guys in any HoF if they are still competing. That said, if it's AJ who's been around since day 1, that's better than Sting. For some reason, I get the vibe that if Sting is chosen, it's because TNA wants to preempt WWE in getting him into their Hall of Fame. If this thing was started for that reason, and I really hope it wasn't, then shame on them.

I'm going to choose to believe, for now, that there were legit reasons for this and that the first person inducted will be meaningful and worthwhile. I guess we'll find out soon enough though.

 

[Gateway313]

I've been a wrestling fan for 25 years and why is it that WWE is the only wrestling company thats got to have a Hall of Fame. I hope TNA has a building for their Hall of Fame. Some fans feel it's too soon for TNA to have a hall of fame but that don't make them right. I just hope TNA put qualified wrestlers and not just anybody like WWe does in their hall of fame. Bravo TNA for not waiting 20 years to start your Hall of Fame.

 

[Remy LaCroix]

I have no complaints unless they induct more than 3 people every year. AAA created it's own Hall of Fame after 15 years and, save for the first year when they inducted its founder and Rey Mysterio (Jr.), they've only inducted one person every year. If TNA decides to go that route then the Hall of Fame won't get diluted with people whom fans think are less deserving, like this piece of shit:

Wait, so a ten year old company is going to have a Hall of Fame, really? Who do they have in the company is even close to Hall of Fame worthy? Every person I can even remotely think of that could go in the TNA Hall of Fame was built and established by the WWE or another company.

It's going to be really funny to see this "Hall of Fame" be consisted of former WWE talent. Hell, who's the first inductee going to be, Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett, Sting or Raven?

A couple of people and alumni, you moron. The latter three aren't bad choices.

 

[Rayne]

This is one of those moves I just don't get. What's the point? To say you have a Hall of Fame, just like the big boy? To recognize performers that came through and gave a few good years to TNA/IW? Do the Toledo Mud Hens have a Hall of Fame too?

It's unnecessary at this point in TNA/IW's growth. Usually I can puzzle out a method to the madness for all kinds of decisions that seem questionable on the surface, but the only thing I gather is that TNA/IW is aping the WWE here. The fact that people are promoting Jerry Lynn and Raven as 'hall of fame' caliber performers- although talented they were- tells me everything I need to know about the viability of a TNA/IW Hall of Fame.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I can see both sides here.

On one hand, while being around 10 years is significant, there's still the fact that TNA is sorely lacking in general history and that can only be rectified by the passage of time.

On the other, TNA wanting to celebrate and hype their own history isn't a bad thing. Just because they haven't been around for half a century doesn't mean that they shouldn't feel proud of how far they've come and how long they've been around.

When it comes to viability & legitimacy, it all depends on how you look at it. There are always going to be inductees that some say "don't deserve it". It's that way in WWE, NWA and wherever. TNA will be no different I'm sure. The way I see it, there's nothing wrong with drawing attention to your product and celebrating it in general by honoring people that you feel have helped make it better. When Koko B. Ware was inducted into the WWE HOF, some hated it. After all, what had he done right? Same thing can really be said about some guys, like Jerry Lynn for instance. Lynn is a respected performer and all but, let's face it, the guy's never really been a star when we think of "HOF worthy". However, he's made contributions to TNA and there's nothing wrong with recognizing that.

 

[Wald]

I like the idea as it will give recognition to the likes of Styles, Money Inc., Joe and others who may never get into the WWE version.

I can see them giving it to Sting at the PPV, but for my money the only choice as number one inductee is Jeff Jarrett

 

[vampirek]

I really don't know what to make of it until I know who this person is. At least when WWE made it's Hall of Fame it was designed to make tribute to Andre and therefore put everyone else in his class (ignore the wing, the wing is separate hence why its called a wing). If it ends up being Hulk Hogan or Bischoff, the TNA Hall of Fame will instantly be a joke and for ever be remembered as that.
Then again if you put someone like Jarrett in, it defeats the purpose as it seems like it was created to serve his ego rather than pay tribute to his career. Sting, AJ etc are all active on the roster and being the first makes little to no sense putting them in unless they are going to use it in a storyline which would just be horrible.

Heaven forbid its Don West too.

 

[AnthonyM4]

There is no doubt that if TNA is going to do a hall of fame that AJ Styles should be the charter member. I mean the guy is to TNA what Sting was to wcw. Franchise player. When I think TNA Wrestling, I think AJ Styles. To me he is so synonymous with that promotion. I just hope if it is him they make it classy. I mean I hope they don't do a thing in which he gets the plaque and then Daniels comes out and says AJ is the first hof member because of his "affair with Dixie Carter".

It should be AJ, but I have a feeling it will be either Sting or Jeff Jarrett. Hogan is a possibility. I wouldn't mind if it was Jerry Lynn. He was a big star in the early days of TNA and he is retiring at the end of the year-supposedly.

BTW, on a side note, I've read people say it's a joke that TNA is starting a hall of fame 10 years into their existence. UFC did the same thing and ROH thought about it too. I actually think it's pretty cool and had a feeling it might happen on the 10 year slammaversary.

 

[Benson]

It should be Jeff Jarrett. As much as I hate Jarrett, he did more for that company as it's top heel than Hogan has done in the past two years.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Seems too soon but it could just be part of a storyline.

Jarrett, or the Jarrett family seem to be the obvious choice. Seems weird to think they would induct any guys that are active like Sting, Styles and Angle but who knows. Nash is a possibility. They could do something cheesy and make the ImpactZone fans or the stealth backstage cameraman the first inductee. Or maybe they will do something controversial and induct Macho Man posthemusely.

Or maybe more controversially name Brooke Hogan Executive in Charge of the HOF Selection Process and you all will think it is real.